How to Avoid Getting Braces

Braces sometimes feel like one of those unavoidable facts of life—but they absolutely don’t have to. Children and adults alike can take proactive steps that will help them avoid the need for braces in the future, which can help you avoid not only the expenses that come along with braces, but the discomfort and frustration that can sometimes accompany them, as well.
Take a look at some of our favorite ways to avoid braces. Many of these pieces of advice apply to both adults and children, so you can use this info to avoid braces no matter what stage of life you’re currently experiencing.
1. Avoid Extended Bottle Use
As your children get older, it can be important to wean them off bottle use as early as possible. Continued bottle use can wind up causing problems with an overbite, due to a misalignment between the jawbones. Extended bottle use can also cause an increased risk for cavities, and poor oral health is another avenue by which patients find themselves needing braces.
2. Maintain Proper Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean not only helps you avoid cavities and other problems, but it can help patients avoid the need for braces, as well. Inflammation of the gums and other oral issues can impact the way your teeth grow, which may alter your jaw structure.
3. Avoid Sleeping Facedown
Unfortunately for those who prefer sleeping on their stomachs, this position can put an increased amount of pressure on your jawbone. Given enough time, this can cause your teeth to fall out of alignment, requiring corrective braces. Try experimenting with other sleeping positions to avoid potentially requiring braces in the future.
4. Don’t Rest Your Jaw on Your Hand
This fairly common sitting position can actually wind up causing the jaw to shift in place over time, which will eventually lead to the need for braces. This habit is a relatively easy one to change, though many of us might engage with it without realizing it.
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